The Problem of Pain

The body’s primary distress signal, designed to warn about injury or illness, can sometimes outlast its usefulness.

March 2010

By Lisa James

For Kimberley McCoy of Lakewood, Colorado, pain had practically become a way of life. “I was in a couple of car accidents, one of which was pretty severe. I worked for about 10 years in construction and another 12 in warehousing. All of that took a major toll on my body,” says McCoy, 42, who now works as a corporate trainer.

It’s not like she hasn’t tried to find relief. “I have done a ton of stuff: acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, physical therapy,” McCoy says. “I have a TENS unit (a low-intensity electrical nerve stimulator), medication for when the pain gets really bad. All of that helped a tiny little bit, but it just made the pain go away for a while.”

McCoy’s story isn’t unusual. In a survey conducted by the Clarus Research Group, 46% of respondents suffered from pain at least several times a week; 17% said their pain was either “bad” or “severe.” Another survey in North Carolina found that rates of lower back pain have more than doubled since the early 1990s, a result the researchers believe may represent a national trend (Archives of Internal Medicine 2/9/10).

Serious pain can have serious consequences. It has been linked with digestive problems, poor wound healing, increased risk of blood clots and, in seniors, an increased risk of falling. People in their 50s who suffer from chronic pain have the physical limitations of pain-free people in their 80s (Journal of the American Geriatric Society 9/09).

Easing Arthritis

One of the most common reasons for pain is osteoarthritis (OA), which Jennifer Schneider, MD calls “the most common joint disease in the world.” Roughly 27 million people over the age of 25 show some evidence of OA, marked by pain, inflammation, swelling and reduced range of motion.

Arthritis develops when cartilage—the substance that lines bony surfaces within the joint—begins to break down. In some cases, the damage is so severe that the bones begin to rub against each other. The joint space may narrow, and bony spurs may develop. X-ray findings don’t always correspond with symptoms. One person may suffer great pain with little direct evidence of damage, while another may show severe signs of disease yet feel little pain as a result.

Exercise is one of the best ways to prevent OA or slow disease progression once it develops.

Physical activity stops the vicious cycle of pain—less movement—more pain. Evidence suggests that it can help prevent the loss of cartilage (Menopause 9-10/07). In addition, yoga, tai chi and acupuncture have been found to reduce OA pain and improve quality of life.

Proper nutrition can also help ease OA and make joints less prone to achiness. Omega-3 fatty acids, the type found in fish oil, can counteract an inflammatory substance called arachidonic acid. The body uses vitamin C to create collagen,...

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